Sludge eating plant launched in Palmerston North

Wetox is a process which involves applying high pressure and
temperature to break sludge down into its various components which
can then be recovered as fertilisers and other valuable
chemicals.

The Wetox technology was developed at Victoria University of
Wellington as part of PhD research carried out in the School of
Chemical and Physical Sciences.

Wetox Limited was formed by VicLink, the Victoria University
company that commercialises intellectual property.

Based in Wellington, the spin-out company, led by CEO Dr. Kevin
McKay, is taking the Wetox technology to market both in New Zealand
and in Europe.

The Palmerston North plant has been designed by Fitzroy
Engineering based in Auckland and New Plymouth. Palmerston
North firm Etech Engineering Ltd completed the construction and
installation.

Professor Neil Quigley, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research) at
Victoria University says the Wetox solution is an outstanding
example of how cutting-edge technologies can be created from
fundamental research.

"The plant has huge benefits for the City," Palmerston North
Mayor Jono Naylor said. "With the introduction of this process, the
City is one step closer to meeting its goal of diverting 75
per-cent of its waste from landfills by 2015."

Rob Green, Palmerston North City Council water and waste
services manager says one of the chemicals to be recovered from the
process is alum which the Council uses at its water and waste
treatment plant.

"Our intention would be to reuse the recovered alum on site to
reduce the costs of purchasing it," Mr Green said.

"Phosphates will also be recovered by the Wetox process which is
great news as it means the chances of phosphates leaching into the
Manawatū River from waste water are extremely minimal. We hope to
be able to sell the recovered phosphates as fertiliser," Mr Green
said.

The process will mean a huge reduction in the amount of sewage
sludge going into the landfill.

As with most scientific breakthroughs, says Professor Quigley,
the Wetox technology resulted from a collaborative effort with
other partners including Callaghan Innovation (formerly Industrial
Research Limited) and the Palmerston North City Council.

Geoff Todd, CEO of VicLink says: "Waste water, water treatment
and industrial processors that produce sludge face tighter
environmental constraints and rising costs of disposal. The Wetox
system provides a cost-effective solution to this problem."

Officials and visitors will get a first-hand look at the Wetox
plant at the official launch this afternoon at the Totara Road
Water and Waste Treatment Plant in Palmerston North.

The pilot scheme has cost the Palmerston North City Council
approximately $10,000 for the initial set up.